Many medical professionals and car accident lawyers advise victims to see a doctor after a crash because an evaluation can ensure hidden injuries are identified and treated. Some types of serious injuries my not be apparent right away, and delayed treatment could result in permanent damage or even death. Additionally, seeking medical help after a car accident ensures injuries are documented if a personal injury lawsuit becomes necessary.
Seeking Medical Attention After a Crash
A car crash often results in hidden health risks that require immediate medical attention. Injuries may be treated at the accident scene by emergency medical responders, but further checkups by a licensed medical professional are needed for proper evaluation. Although minor injuries like cuts and bruises are immediately seen, symptoms of serious internal injuries that can result in life-threatening conditions may not surface for days or even weeks after a car crash.
Certain injuries that may present serious complications can only be properly diagnosed with X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. These tests are typically performed in hospital emergency departments, urgent care centers, and health clinics by licensed physicians and specialists. X-rays are commonly used to diagnose fractures and broken bones, while MRIs and CT scans diagnose soft tissue injuries, damage to internal organs, and head trauma. In some cases, car crash injury victims may suffer a stroke following the accident, especially when whiplash, head trauma, brain injuries, or spinal damage occurs.
“Invisible injuries” are not immediately apparent. The most common one is whiplash which results from a sudden forward or sideways head jerk. Whiplash symptoms such as headaches and neck pain often take weeks or months to surface. Other invisible injuries often present symptoms including:
- Headaches
- Neck and back pain
- Leg and tailbone pain
- Numbness in limbs
- Abdominal pain
- Emotional trauma
Medical records become vital evidence for injuries sustained in a car crash. Seeking medical treatment for injuries has a significant impact on personal injury claims and lawsuits filed by car accident lawyers. Following a car crash, it’s important to see a doctor within 72 hours of the accident. When an injury claim is filed, the insurance company checks for immediate medical treatment of injury victims. Without documented medical evidence of injuries and diagnosis, an insurer is likely to deny the claim.